ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Commerce and Industry Minister calls for Mass Movement of Cooperatives in Agriculture Sector
Commerce & Industry Ministry to work with Agriculture Ministry to Double Farmers’ Income: Piyush Goyal
Piyush Goyal addresses Curtain Raiser Event of First Farm Cooperative Trade Fair
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal, along with Minister of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar and Minister of State for Agriculture, Kailash Choudhary, releasing the brochure of IICTF
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Railways, Piyush Goyal, has called for a Mass Movement to strengthen the cooperative sector in agriculture. Speaking at the curtain raiser event of India International Cooperatives Trade Fair  in New Delhi today, Commerce & Industry Minister stressed the need for both Ministries of Commerce and Agriculture to work in close coordination to tap the true potential of the cooperative sector.
Minister of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister of State for Agriculture, Kailash Choudhary, Secretary of Agriculture, Sanjay Agarwal and other senior officials of Ministry of Agriculture were present on this occasion.
Piyush Goyal underlined the need to make farmers and agriculture-based industries self-reliant. He said that in the three consultations held with the Minister of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar, after the formation of this Government, both Ministries have committed to establish a framework to double farm exports from Rs 2.75 lakh crore to about Rs 7 lakh crore by 2024-2025. Piyush Goyal also announced that a Cooperative Sector Export Promotion Forum will be established as an exchange platform for the cooperatives in India.
Recalling the contribution of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in consolidating the cooperative movement of farmers, Piyush Goyal said that agriculture is the priority sector for the Government and it is committed to double the income of the farmers by 2022.
Commerce & Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal said that IICTF is a unique concept and opportunity which will take the mass movement of farm cooperatives to an international level.
On this occasion, the Commerce & Industry Minister along with Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar and Minister of State for Agriculture, Kailash Choudhary, unveiled the logo and released the brochure of IICTF to be held from 11-13 October 2019 in New Delhi. The Commerce & Industry Minister also informed that tribal cooperatives will be provided special concessions in the Trade Fair.
Ministry of Finance
IT Department hopes to complete all Faceless e-Assessments by mid-September
Mumbai : August 4, 2020
3,130 tax personnel, including 600 IT officers are busy implementing the Faceless e-Assessment scheme of Income Tax. Out of 58,319 cases selected for faceless assessment, already 8,700 cases have been disposed off. The scheme, first announced by the Finance Minister Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman in the 2019 budget speech, is seen as a big leap towards transparent tax administration.
“This is the first time that we are doing the faceless e-assessment. The work has picked up since July, after having addressed all the issues related to infrastructure, manpower, hardware and software. Our target is to finish all the cases by mid-September” said Shri S K Gupta, Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax and Member, Central Board of Direct Taxes .
The Income Tax Department in October 2019 rolled out the faceless e-assessment scheme that eliminates physical interface between an assessing officer and an assessee. Eight cities – Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Pune are covered under the scheme. Shri Gupta said that the cases taken up for faceless e-assessment include a mix of returns filed by individuals, businesses, MSME as well as big companies.
How the faceless e-assessment works?
The National e-Assessment Centre in Delhi is the single point of contact for the taxpayer as well as for all units conducting assessment. It is the NEC which issues notices under Section 143 to the assesse for which the assessee is required to respond within 15 days of receipt of notice. Upon the issue of a notice, NEC allocates the case to any Assessment Unit through an automated allocation system, ensuring anonymity.
The conventional system of scrutiny assessment involved a high level of personal interaction between the tax payer and the Income Tax Department officials. Under the faceless e-assessment system, the tax payer would not know by whom his /her return is being assessed or in which city. “The anonymity and the absence of human interface will go a long way in addressing the issue of harassment as well as curb instances of corruption” Shri Gupta added. “Instead of territorial jurisdiction, we have brought it dynamic jurisdiction” he added.
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Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Joint Outcome Statement: Round One of Negotiations for A Free Trade Agreement Between The Republic of India and The United Kingdom
the Republic of India and the United Kingdom concluded the first round of talks for an India-UK Free Trade Agreement . Both sides acknowledge the importance of ensuring this first round – held virtually over 2 weeks - could proceed despite the challenges presented by the COVID pandemic.
During this round, technical experts from both sides came together for discussions in 32 separate sessions covering 26 policy areas including: Trade in Goods, Trade in Services including Financial Services & Telecommunications, Investment, Intellectual Property, Customs and Trade Facilitation, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, Technical Barriers to Trade, Competition, Gender, Government Procurement, SMEs, Sustainability, Transparency, Trade and Development, Geographical Indicators and Digital.
The negotiations were productive and reflected our shared ambition to secure a comprehensive deal to boost trade between the 5th and 6th largest economies in the world. The positive discussions in round one have laid the groundwork for the UK and India to make positive and efficient progress.
The second round of negotiations is due to take place on 7-18 March 2022. Both teams maintain a shared ambition to conclude negotiations by the end of 2022 – as part of both sides’ efforts to secure a comprehensive agreement, Chief Negotiators will continue to consider the benefits of an Interim Agreement.
Ministry of Tourism
All the three projects sanctioned for Gujarat by Ministry of Tourism under ‘Swadesh Darshan’ scheme are physically complete: Shri G. Kishan Reddy
Ministry of Tourism under its ‘Swadesh Darshan’ scheme has sanctioned three projects in Gujarat. All the three projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan scheme in the State of Gujarat are physically complete. Details given below:
|
|
Sr.
No
|
|
Name of
Circuit
|
|
Year of Sanction
|
|
Name of the Project
|
|
Sanctioned Amt. in ₹ crore
|
|
Released amount
₹ in Cr.

|
|
1
|
|
Heritage
Circuit
|
|
2016-17
|
|
Development of Ahmedabad- Rajkot- Porbandar –Bardoli- Dandi
|
|
58.42
|
|
56.21
|
|
2
|
|
Heritage Circuit
|
|
2016-17
|
|
Development of Vadnagar-Modhera
|
|
91.11
|
|
87.25
|
|
3
|
|
Buddhist Circuit
|
|
2017-18
|
|
Development of Junagadh- Gir Somnath- Bharuch-Kutch- Bhavnagar- Rajkot- Mehsana
|
|
26.68
|
|
22.28
This information was given by Minister of Tourism Shri G. Kishan Reddy in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
While speaking at the session Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad said, “The real power of Cyberspace is in the economic and social benefits of the digital content, and in the empowerment of the poor, common citizen- which is the only way to ensure both free access to markets and the vindication of vital public interest objectives.”
He went on add that, “Business models are not just being disrupted, they are being totally transformed, and across all sectors. Communication, both interpersonal and professional, has shredded the boundaries of time and space. Nature and structure of governments and its agencies is transforming from reactive to proactive. Today, technology is redefining who we are, how we communicate to our colleagues and peers and how should we work.”
“We in India, are trying to create inclusive, safe and secure, cyber space for sustainable development. We recognize that the transformative power of digital technologies can help developing countries leap frog development, and create more effective and participative democracies. Our strategy aims to benefit the weak and the poor, the rural and the neglected segment of society. The emphasis is on looking beyond mere digitization to digital technologies as a means to empower people.
“In the last three years, we have made great strides in digital delivery of services under the flagship initiative of Digital India Programme under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The Digital India programme, based on the three pillars of  Digital infrastructure as Utility to Every Citizen,  Governance and services on demand and  Digital empowerment of citizens is a programme to transform India into a digital empowered society and knowledge economy.”
Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad signed off by saying, “We have innovated new strategies and technologies, which focused on Affordability, Inclusion and Development focus. Let me share with you a glimpse of how this has helped us to transform India. India would be a voice of moderation. India would be a voice of reason. India would be a voice of assimilation as far as Internet discourse is concerned. But let it be known that India would be a voice of assertion in favour of those who are digitally deprived. Because Digital India has been designed to bridge the gap between digital haves and digital have-nots. I think it is very important that we understand that through digital empowerment we are creating an equal world which would truly reflect our motto of cyber4growth and cyber4all.”
Ministry of Railways
Freight figures continue to maintain the high momentum in terms of earnings and loading during September 2021 for Indian Railways
In September 2021, Indian Railways loading was 106 million tonnes which is 3.62% higher compare to last year’s loading  for the same period
During this period, Indian Railways earned Rs. 10815.73 crores from freight loading which 9.19% higher compare to last year’s earnings 
Freight figures continue to maintain the high momentum in terms of earnings and loading during September, 2021 for Indian Railways.
On mission mode, Indian Railways' Freight loading for September 2021 crossed last year’s loading and earnings for the same period.
During September, 2021, Indian Railways loading was 106 million tonnes which is 3.62 % higher compare to last year’s loading for the same period .
In this period, Indian Railways earned Rs. 10815.73 crores from freight loading which is also 9.19% higher compare to last year’s earnings for the same period .
During September, 2021, Indian Railways loading was 106 million tonnes which includes 47.74 million tonnes of coal, 11.24 million tonnes of iron ore, 6.46 million tonnes of foodgrains, 4.19 million tonnes of fertilizers, 3.60 million tonnes of mineral oil and 6.15 million tonnes of cement .
It is worth mentioning that a number of concessions/ discounts are also being given in Indian Railways to make Railways Freight movement very attractive.
It may be noted that improvements in freight movements will be institutionalized and incorporated in the upcoming zero based time table.
COVID 19 has been used by Indian Railways an opportunity to improve all round efficiencies and performances.
Ministry of Education
KIIT University organizes National Seminar as part of G-20 Jan Bhagidari Campaign
As part of the Jan Bhagidari campaign for the 3rd G20 Education Working Group Meeting, KIIT University organized a National Seminar on the theme ‘Education for Building a better Society’ on 10th April in Model Degree College, Boudh. Prof. Achyuta Samanta, Member of Parliament, Kandhamal and Founder, KIIT & KISS graced the event as ‘Chief Guest’ and distribued awards and certificates to the finalists.
The seminar was also graced by Smt. Babitarani Dalabehera, Additional District Magistrate, Boudh, Prof. Pradyot Keshari Pradhan, Retired Professor, Utkal University, Prof. Maheswar Sahoo, Retired Professor, Utkal University and Prof. Jayanta Parida, Director, KIIT.
More than 450 students, educators and dignitaries from various institutions of the Boudh district attended the seminar.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves MoU between India and the United Arab Emirates on Bilateral Cooperation in the Road Transport and Highways sector
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Memorandum of Understanding  between India and the United Arab Emirates on Bilateral Cooperation in the Road Transport and Highways Sector to be signed between the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, India and the Federal Transport Authority – Land and Maritime, U.A.E.
The proposed MoU envisages increased cooperation, exchange and collaboration between India and the UAE, and will contribute to increased investment in infrastructure development and enhance logistics efficiency. This will help in promoting safe, economical, efficient and environmentally sound road transport in the country and will further help both the countries in creating an institutional mechanism for cooperation in the field. Salient features of the MoU are:
- Exchange and sharing of knowledge and cooperation in the area of transportation technologies and transport policies, for passenger and freight movement by roads;
- Planning, administration and management of road infrastructure, technology and standards for roads/highways construction and maintenance;
- Sharing of information and best practices for developing road safety plans and road safety intervention strategies, and outreach activities aimed at reducing deaths and injuries resulting from road accidents through:
- Sharing of knowledge and best practices in user-free -related issues; including modern systems, technologies and methods of levying of user-free and collection including Electronic Toll Collection System;
- Sharing of information areas of improved technologies and materials in road and bridge construction, including joint research; and
 as an enabler and as a catalyst of economic growth and seamless freight movement.
Prime Minister's Office
PM remembers contributions of Late Dev Anand to Indian cinema on his 100th birth anniversary
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has remembered the contributions of Late Dev Anand to Indian cinema on his 100th birth anniversary.
The Prime Minister posted on X:
“Dev Anand Ji is remembered as an evergreen icon. His flair for storytelling and passion for cinema were unmatched. His films not only entertained but also reflected the changing society and aspirations of India. His timeless performances continue to influence generations. Remembering him on his 100th birth anniversary.”
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
MSP Operations during Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21
In the ongoing Kharif Marketing Season  2020-21, Government continues to procure Kharif 2020-21 crops at its MSP from farmers as per its existing MSP Schemes.
Paddy procurement for Kharif 2020-21 is continuing smoothly in the procuring States & UTs of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh with purchase of over 288.24 LMTs of paddy upto 18.11.2020 against the last year corresponding purchase of 244.37 LMT showing an increase of 17.95% over last year. Out of the total purchase of 288.24 LMT, Punjab alone has contributed 199.97 LMT which is 69.37% of total procurement.
About 24.95 Lakh farmers have already been benefitted from the ongoing KMS procurement Operations with MSP value of Rs. 54420.51 crore.
Further, based on the proposal from the States, approval was accorded for procurement of 45.10 LMT of Pulse and Oilseeds of Kharif Marketing Season 2020 for the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh under Price Support Scheme. Further, sanction for procurement of 1.23 LMT of Copra  for the States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala was also given. For other States/UTs approval will also be accorded on receipt of proposals for procurement of Pulses, Oilseeds and Copra under PSS so that procurement of FAQ grade of these crops can be made at notified MSP for the year 2020-21 directly from the registered farmers, if the market rate goes below MSP during the notified harvesting period in the respective States/UTs by the Central Nodal Agencies through State nominated procuring agencies.
Upto 18.11.2020, the Government through its Nodal Agencies has procured 60581.37 MT of Moong, Urad, Groundnut Pods and Soyabean having MSP value of Rs.327.79 Crores benefitting 35214 farmers in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana and Rajasthan as against the last year corresponding purchase of 41370.93 MT which is an increase of 46.43% for pulses and oilseeds.
Similarly, 5089 MT of copra  having MSP value of Rs.52.40 crore has been procured benefitting 3961 farmers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu upto 18.11.2020 as against the last year corresponding purchase of 293.34 MT of copra. In respect of Copra and Urad, rates are ruling above MSP in most of the major producing States. The respective State/UTs Governments are making necessary arrangements for commencement of procurement from the date as decided by the respective States based on the arrivals in respect of Kharif, Pulses and Oilseeds.
Procurement operations of seed cotton  under MSP are going on smoothly in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Odisha. Till 18.11.2020 a quantity of 1733156 cotton bales valuing Rs. 5331.14 Crore has been procured benefitting 339946 farmers.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India tests more than 5 lakh per day for the 2nd day in a row
More than 1.73 crore samples tested as on today
Tests Per Million  jumps to 12,562
Pursuant to “Test, Track, Treat” strategy, India has created and maintained a new high of testing more than 5 lakh COVID-19 in a single day over two consecutive days. This is the outcome of the combined and focused efforts of Union and State/UT Governments on aggressive testing as the first important step in the early detection and isolation of COVID-19 positive cases. On 26th July, India tested a total of 5,15,000 samples and on 27th July, a total of 5,28,000 samples were tested.
The graded and evolving response resulted in a testing strategy that steadily widened the testing network in the country, and the cumulative testing as on date has crossed 1.73 crore. The Tests Per Million has further improved to 12,562.
The testing capacity of India has received another boost with the induction of three high throughput testing facilities in Noida, Mumbai and Kolkata that were inaugurated virtually by Prime Minister yesterday. The testing lab network in the country is continuously strengthened with 1310 labs in the country; 905 labs in the government sector and 405 private labs. These include:
• Real-Time RT PCR based testing labs: 668 
• TrueNat based testing labs: 537 
• CBNAAT based testing labs: 105 
For all authentic & updated information on COVID-19 related technical issues, guidelines & advisories please regularly visit: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/ and @MoHFW_INDIA.
Technical queries related to COVID-19 may be sent to technicalquery.covid19[at]gov[dot]in and other queries on ncov2019[at]gov[dot]in and @CovidIndiaSeva .
In case of any queries on COVID-19, please call at the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare helpline no.: +91-11-23978046 or 1075 . List of helpline numbers of States/UTs on COVID-19 is also available at https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/coronvavirushelplinenumber.pdf .
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID - 19 Vaccination Update - Day 601
India’s cumulative vaccination coverage crosses 214.52 Crore
More than 22 lakh Vaccine doses administered today till 7 pm
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 214.52 Crore  today. More than 22 lakh  Vaccine Doses have been administered till 7 pm today. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight.
The cumulative coverage of vaccine doses, segregated based on population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10414442
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
10110250
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
6849798
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18435386
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
17704781
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
13329978
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
40567747
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
30730710
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
61770354
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
52589193
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
560836539
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
514061560
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
73818717
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
203949709
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
196546338
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
39899981
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
127614826
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
122861607
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
43131213
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
1023589003
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
944604439
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
177029687
|
|
Total
|
|
2145223129
Today’s achievement in the vaccination exercise, segregated by population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Date: 08th September, 2022 
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
35
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
481
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
8820
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
67
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
397
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
17090
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
27818
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
76273
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
13033
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
40178
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
22556
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
105021
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
1181208
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
3551
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
21585
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
491839
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
2529
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
17648
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
245497
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
69589
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
261583
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
1944454
|
|
Total
|
|
2275626
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.